"The decision was made this week": Emmanuel Macron confirms the launch of the future aircraft carrier for the French Navy
The President of the Republic announced the start of development and construction work on the future aircraft carrier for the French Navy.
There will indeed be a new-generation aircraft carrier. Addressing the armed forces stationed in the United Arab Emirates, President Emmanuel Macron officially launched the construction of the future aircraft carrier for the French Navy, which will replace the current Charles de Gaulle in the late 2030s.
"In accordance with the last two military programming laws and after a thorough and careful review, I have decided to equip France with a new aircraft carrier. The decision to launch this major program was made this week," declared Emmanuel Macron.
This new aircraft carrier "will be an illustration of the power of our nation, the power of industry and technology," he added.
He also indicated that he would personally visit the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in St Nazaire next February. This program will "boost our economy and the 800 suppliers, 80% of whom are SMEs," the president stated. The 2025 draft budget includes commitments of €10.2 billion over several years to support the development and construction of the aircraft carrier.
This announcement comes after several years of studies (launched in 2019) and discussions, both technical and financial. Naval Group and Chantiers de l'Atlantique will be the prime contractors. TechnicAtome is responsible for the work on the two K22 nuclear reactors that will power this giant of the seas.
The future aircraft carrier will be longer and wider than the current one, the Charles de Gaulle: while the latter measures 260 meters long and 64 meters wide, the dimensions of the future flagship are listed at 310 meters long and 85 meters wide.
The "PA NG" will also accommodate... The Rafale Marine will be upgraded to the next F5 standard, as will the future combat aircraft (the SCAF), and drones. One of the innovations of the next aircraft carrier is the integration of electromagnetic catapults (which allow aircraft to take off): in place of steam catapults, EMALS (electromagnetic aircraft launch systems) will be less bulky and the launch power of the aircraft will be even more precise.